16 Ways to be a Good Grandmother (2024)

A Tribute to Grandmothers

Grandmothers, without whom my life would have been greatly impoverished!

We all have grandmother figures whom we look up to, and at some point we all wonder what to do to be a good grandmother. What can we learn from these ladies' examples that will give us greater impact with our own children, grandchildren and other young people in our spheres of influence?

Maternal

My maternal grandmother spoiled us. Not rotten, but we definitely knew we were special. While at home we only ever got blah (i.e. good for you) cereals, Grandma always had our favorite cereals on hand when we arrived for our summer visit, and we were allowed to choose whichever one we wanted on the next shopping trip! Her big four poster canopy bed was a special place reserved for reading while snuggled in luxury! From

From her, I learned that a good grandmother:

• makes others feel special without spoiling them
• makes time to read and snuggle
• shows more love than frustration

Paternal

My paternal Grandma's impact on my life extends beyond the culinary and sewing arts, in that, while teaching me those things, she also patiently taught me how to feed and dress the soul. We knew our grandparents had adate with the Lord each morning over breakfast, and often we arrived at their door just in time to hear the final Bible reading and listen to them pray through the list of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Grandma taught me that the best grandmother:

• is joyful in serving her family and is a gracious hostess
• is meticulous in her responsibilities (Yes, there is a right way to tuck in bedsheets!)
• delights in simple pleasures andsees God's object lessons in everyday living
• actively keeps her mind”stayed on Him”
• prays for her family regularly

I know that “blood is thicker than water”, but I also know that there may be some reading this who may not be biological mothers, and may feel like you don't have an influence. You couldn't be more wrong! Every woman can positively influence those God puts in your path, even if they aren't any “blood relation”. You may never know the full impact of your example, influence, and love.

Others

Grandma Madge was a family friend whose influence made a huge impact on my young life. I still remember her guest room with one end piled to the ceiling with fabric scraps, her fabulous handmade quilts, her special raisin cookies, her gourd water dipper hung by the cool mountain stream a few yards from her house, her flower garden filled with gorgeous hydrangeas and bleeding hearts, her concentrated listening to the “important things” a child wanted to share with her, and hearing her prayers for others.

From her, I learned that a good grandmother:

• has time to listen to the joys and woes of “little people”
• inspires and cultivates beauty all around her
• selflessly loves and gives to others,speaking lifeinto them

Grammy is another family friend who has had a grandmother's influence in my adult life. Grammy has a way of giving straight-talking counsel without stinging, and she knows the secret of encouraging without puffing one up.

Though I will never attain to her level of graciousness, hospitality, generosity and pie making excellence, (I do aim to give it my best shot), I have learned from her that a greatgrandmother:

• holds loosely to this world's goods
• knows how to love the unlovely
• knows how to do the hard things with joy
• Inspires and motivates others to excellence
• will stop and pray with you over anything at any time of day or night

Are You a Good Grandmother?

• What memories or qualities of your Grandmother have made the biggest impact on your life?
• Was a legacy left to you that you desire to replicate?
• Whatlegacy do you wish to leave behind?
• Is there anything you can do today to begin being the grandmother you hope to become?
• Whohas God placed in your life who needs a mother's or grandmother's influence?
• What will you do to begin making a difference in that young (or younger) person's life?

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